Praying for all those who are Consecrated

By: Caitlin Bootsma

This Sunday is the World Day for Consecrated Life, a celebration established for the universal Church by Blessed Pope John Paul II in 1997. Growing up, if I thought about it all, I would have said that “consecrated” was simply synonymous with “nuns” and “monks.” However, this designation actually applies to a myriad of men and women who are dedicated to the kingdom of God, including sisters, brothers, priests in religious orders, consecrated virgins, hermits and members of Secular Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life (you can see a list here).

Jesus Himself was the model of consecrated life – remaining celibate and giving His entire life for the Church (even to the point of death). In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus affirms the validity of the consecrated life saying, “Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:12).

Sisters of Life at the recent Life is Very Good rally (photo: Stephanie Richer)

Sunday is an opportunity for us to thank God for the many saintly men and women who consecrated themselves to the Lord for the good of the Church throughout history. In a particular way, we can pray for those consecrated that we’ve known in our life, for the strength of their vocation. Whether that be a religious sister who taught us in grade school, a hermit who prays for our intentions or a consecrated man or woman living in the world. We can, as well, pray for all of those who may be discerning a call to this way of life.

Bishop Loverde tells us,“I join all the members of our diocesan Church of Arlington in thanking God for the gift of consecrated life in the Church and in asking Him to renew in all the men and women living the consecrated life…a spirit of deepening intimacy with their Spouse the Lord Jesus and of faithful service to the Body of Christ and to the human family. I especially ask us to pray for those living the consecrated life within this diocese and, in your name and mine, I thank each of them for their service here” (statement for World Day for Consecrated Life, 2011)

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Checking in with our newest Seminarians

Six men are in the middle of their first year of studies as seminarians for the Diocese of Arlington. Along with 32 others, these seminarians are immersed in their discernment process, while also studying philosophy and theology and serving at many of our parishes.

Three of the seminarians were asked to share with us what their memorable experiences have been thus far in their formation. Don’t forget to keep them in your prayers as they listen to God’s calling for their lives. Find out more about Vocations in the Diocese of Arlington at www.arlingtonvocations.com.

Sean Koehr: ”My most rewarding experience in the seminary so far was going on an evangelization mission to Ball State University with my brother seminarians.  Trying to actively participate in the new evangelization enabled me to see the fruits of prayer and study in just a short period of time and it made me hungry for more.  Putting what I am learning into practice by striving to live it and communicate it to others has been a great source of growth and clarity for me.

“Arlington is special because of its youth-filled and zealous priests, as well as its many well-formed and well-educated lay people, who come from strong and generous families.  There is also a great devotion amongst them all for Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist, the sacrament of confession, and a great love for Mary.”

James Majewski: ”I will never forget the day I was told that Bishop Loverde had accepted my application to seminary. To be asked by Christ through His Church to embark upon the journey of priestly formation was an affirmation unlike any other – the consolation of which has truly stayed with me through my studies.

“Seminary life itself is a challenge! But it is such a tremendous blessing to have been accepted to seminary in the Year of Faith, and to be given the opportunity to deepen my faith through nearly every facet of life here. Seminary is so much more than just an education – Christ walks out of the classroom with you.

“Our Diocese has been tireless in fostering my vocation and helping me to discern. The Diocese of Arlington invests so much into her seminarians and future priests, and it is a privilege to be in a position to someday give back to the Diocese I have received so much from.”

Nicholas Schierer: ”40 Hours Devotion leading up to the Feast of St. Charles Borromeo was one of the most rewarding times as a seminarian so far.  For those three days, we had no classes and were able to simply pray during 40 continuous hours of adoration.

“To those who support vocations: Thank you for supporting us. I am praying for all of my benefactors. As seminarians, we are constantly in need to prayers to continue to recognize God’s Will in our continuing discernment of the priesthood.”

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A Time for Next Steps

By: Bishop Paul S. Loverde

With schedules crawling to a summer pace as vacations and long weekends appear on the horizon, along with prioritizing which tasks need to be accomplished each day and what meetings should be scheduled each week, we may find ourselves with more time to consider some deeper questions. This is a time to commit ourselves to asking with renewed curiosity: “Where is God leading me? How may I become an instrument to bring others closer to Him?”

These larger questions naturally encourage a consideration of one’s vocation. While the word “vocation” is used in a variety of ways, as a Church we understand it as a calling from God to which we are asked to respond. Blessed Pope John Paul II poses to us this question:

Deacon Silva with his family on the day of his diaconate ordination

“What do you seek, pilgrims? Each one of us here must ask himself this question. But you above all, since you have your life ahead of you. I invite you to decide definitively the direction of your way. With the very words of Christ, I ask you: ‘What do you seek’? (Jn 1:38). Do you seek God? The spiritual tradition of Christianity not only underlines the importance of our search for God. It highlights something more important still: it is God who looks for us. He comes out to meet us” (Pope John Paul II, Compostela, Spain, 1989).

The challenges of discerning one’s vocation may make us feel as if we are divided into two camps: those of us who “have one” and those of us “who do not yet have one.” While it is true that some have not yet fully discovered God’s will for their calling in life, each of us is called on a day-to-day basis to discern how God wants to work through us.  Every day, each of us must take seriously that daily charge to live for Christ, in every aspect of our work, our relationships and our prayer.

Being caught up in the celebration and joy of those occasions, when we see the smiling faces of new priests or newly married couples, we may forget all the sacrifices and choices that were made before each person arrived at that point.  Recently ordained priests or new spouses did not reach that pivotal moment without considerable discernment and dedication to living lives of holiness. Each of them asked deep questions, facing their own lives with honesty: “How am I called to live my life?” “How may I best serve God?” “Will I give my life to the Church?” “Is this person next to me the one I want to live with for the rest of my given years?”

Intellectually, it is easy to understand that in major decisions, timing is extremely important and, as the familiar adage tells us, that “good things come to those who wait.”  Practically speaking, however, living with patience and commitment to the present day can be stressful and taxing, especially when one is young and bursting forth with energy.  Young people often understand very clearly that they are called to do great things for Christ, but sometimes, waiting for the “what” and the “when,” that comes with true discernment may lead to discouragement or the temptation to doubt that the Lord has a plan.

I urge you brothers and sisters, to be at peace and know that God does indeed have a plan for each of us – a very special and unique plan! You need only to look to priests that you admire or couples for whom you have great respect to know that Our Lord also desires to call you to a life of happiness with Him.

Regardless of where you are in your vocational discernment, I encourage you to view summer as a time to take a step back, to ask Our Lord about the major decisions in your life and to take the next step on the path of holiness on which He is leading you! Keep in mind that every day, God calls us to the joy of deepening intimacy with Him. After all, this is the universal vocation to holiness, from which every other more specific vocation flows.

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The Path Back to Rome

By: Bishop Paul S. Loverde

It is with a grateful heart that I praise God for the 34 seminarians who are actively discerning a life of service to Christ and His Church in our diocese. The sacrifices they have made and will make to become spiritual fathers of the faithful should not be overlooked or underestimated. We should all make frequent and fervent attempts to support them through prayer, service and encouragement.

Bishop Loverde, Fr. Wagner and diocesan seminarians in front of St. Peter's Basilica.

Next week, I have the privilege of traveling to Rome to visit the seven young men from the Diocese of Arlington who are currently discerning and studying at the Pontifical North American College in Vatican City. During this time of year, I make an effort to visit each seminarian and their seminary rector. Myself a priest who has benefited from camaraderie with many priests and bishops, I value the bonds we form and know that they are crucial on the path to ordination and during their time – God willing – as priests of the Diocese of Arlington.

In addition to the men studying in Rome, we currently have men studying at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary (Emmitsburg, Md.), Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary (Wynnewood, Pa.), Blessed John XXIII National Seminary (Weston, Ma.), Pontifical College Josephinum (Columbus, Ohio), and the Theological College (Washington, D.C.). I will visit each of them as the winter progresses. In addition to 34 seminarians, we also have 27 men in formation for the permanent diaconate and 22 men and 27 women in formation for the religious life.

This upcoming trip is also special for me because the Pontifical North American College is where I spent several formative years as a seminarian. I can personally attest to the solid formation and education that the college provides for those discerning a vocation to the priesthood.

Bishop Loverde, Fr. Wagner and diocesan seminarians at a side chapel in St. Peter's.

While these men have the opportunity to pursue their vocation in Vatican City, each of us relies on the same tools to pursue our own vocation: prayer, study and fellowship. We are all part of the Body of Christ: whether here in the U.S. or abroad, whether discerning a call to religious life or faithfully living out our call to married life, we are united in His one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

I hope to have the honor of seeing the Holy Father during the Wednesday General Audience, and I will bring to him all of your prayers of support. As I prepare to depart for Rome, please join me in praying for our seminarians and for those considering the priesthood, as well as in giving thanks for the continued thriving of vocations in the Diocese of Arlington.

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Diaconate Ordination: Photos Reflect 16 New Deacons’ Eagerness to Serve

By: Mariann Hughes, Office of Communications

In a ceremony marked by beauty and joy, 16 men were ordained for service in the Arlington Diocese to the permanent diaconate by Bishop Paul S. Loverde on Jan. 15. at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More.

Fr. Ferguson, Episcopal Vicar for Faith Formation, presents the deacon candidates to Bishop Loverde.

A deacon candidate goes to Bishop Loverde and kneels before him, placing his joined hands between the bishop's.

The candidates prostrate themselves in the ancient gesture of supplication and the dying to self.

While the candidates lay on the steps, the cantor leads the faithful in the singing of a litany.

The litany is concluded by a prayer by Bishop Loverde.

The candidates again go to Bishop Loverde and kneel before him. He lays his hands on the head of each candidate in silence. The laying on of hands and the prayer of consecration which follows constitute the essential elements of the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

After the prayer of consecration, an assisting deacon or priest puts a deacon's stole and a dalmatic on the newly ordained. Here, Fr. Frank Hull, pastor of St. Joseph's, Alexandria, does so to Deacon Albert Anderson, Jr.

Vested as a deacon, the newly ordained goes to the bishop and kneels before him. Bishop Loverde presents the Book of Gospels to the deacon.

Bishop Loverde stands and gives the kiss of peace to each of the new deacons.

The new deacons are also greeted by the other deacons present.

This is a sign of welcome and fraternity within the Order of the Diaconate.

These 16 men will be crucial contributors to the vibrant faith life in the parishes to which they are assigned. They will serve by the Word, at the altar, and by acts of charity.

The men received much support at the Mass from their families, loved ones, parish priests, and the men currently in formation for the permanent diaconate.

Three wives of the deacons listen to the First Reading during the Mass.

Deacon Powers expressed the joy he anticipated here in this blog post. Rev. Thomas Ferguson and Bishop Loverde also blogged in anticipation of this joyful day.

Check the new deacon assignments on the diocesan website.

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Challenge yourself during National Vocations Week

By: Caitlin Forst

In the end, the Seminarians beat the Quo Vadis Men

Diocesan seminarians teamed up to play Quo Vadis, a high school men’s discernment group, in basketball during the second annual Hoops Challenge. It was a fierce competition, certainly, but it was also an opportunity for these groups to gather together. The teams and many of those watching had a common interest: seeking God’s guidance in their lives.

January 10-15 is National Vocations Awareness Week in the United States. It’s true that we should always be aware of how and where God is calling us, but we often get distracted. This week helps us to focus on vocational discernment.

You may have heard a seminarian tell his vocation story this past Sunday at your parish. Perhaps he mentioned that at one point he heard God’s call in his life, but for a while he was distracted by other endeavors. If that sort of distraction sounds familiar, this week is an opportunity to spend some time in prayer asking God for direction in your life.

This week is not only for young people, but for each of us to renew our dedication to living lives of holiness. Even if you are already a spouse, parent, religious, consecrated lay person or a priest, we still need continual grace to live our vocations.

Fr. Bashista leads the seminarians and Quo Vadis men in prayer of thanksgiving after the game.

Also, as part of the Body of Christ, we are called to pray that each laborer in God’s vineyard follows the Lord’s invitation to follow Him in the vocation He has chosen for him or her, building up the people of God.

Take a moment to join us the following prayer and  visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s site, For Your Vocation:

Father in heaven, you sent us your
only Son to redeem us and to build
your kingdom on earth. Please give
us the wisdom and strength we need
to follow His call. Grant to the faithful
a spirit of generosity, that Church
vocations may flourish. Bless our
priests with holiness and courage,
that they may lead your people to
Christ. Help all sisters and brothers
to fulfill their sacred promises and so
be effective signs of your kingdom.
Lord, invite more men and women
to your service. We ask this through
Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Check out all of the photos from the Hoops Challenge here!)

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Highlights of 2010 in the Diocese of Arlington

In June 2010, three men were ordained to the priesthood.

The inaugural year of Encourage and Teach (which launched during Holy Week) was a busy one. We’ve been excited to share with you posts from Bishop Paul Loverde and other contributors, to comment on current events and to discuss hot-button issues.

Here are ten posts that ranked as some of the most-read of 2010. I’d like to share them with you again at the beginning of 2011, as I think they provide a glimpse into the important events and discussions of the past year:

Events in our Diocesan Church:

• This spring, a new diocesan retreat house opened in White Post. Find out more about how to spend some time at this peaceful center: New Spiritual Life Center Open
• Ordination day is always a significant one here in Arlington. Take a look at some of the photos and comments from the popular post: Three Priests Ordained Today!
• The Spiritual Life Center wasn’t the only opening this year. In August, Bishop Loverde dedicated St. Rose of Lima Priests’ Retirement Villa, which is now housing some of our dedicated retired priests: Bishop Loverde Dedicates New Priest Retirement Villa
• This year, parishioners gathered together for the second annual Catholic Heritage Festival. In this post, the director of Multicultural Ministries talks about all the plans for this celebratory event: Catholic Heritage Festival: One Father, One People, One Faith.
• Did you know that for the first time in 20 years there will be a diocesan ordination of permanent deacons? Fr. Thomas Ferguson explains more about this important vocation: Permanent Diaconate: Ever Ancient, Ever New

Current Events:

• This summer, we suffered the loss of a Benedictine Sister who died tragically in a car accident: Statement on the Death of Sister Denise Mosier
• How could we forget that a baby was found at St. Raymond’s parish in Springfield? This post describes the event and the resources that we can offer pregnant mothers: Baby Found at St. Raymond’s Parish a Reminder of Resources Available

Are you a frog in boiling water?

Hot-Button Issues:

• Sr. Clare Hunter, director of the Respect Life Office, explains that we, like frogs in a pot of boiling water, can get too accustomed to an impoverished view of sexuality and life without even realizing it: We are not frogs. But we are in hot water.
• Homosexuality is constantly in the news and the subject of heated discussions. Fr. Paul Scalia, pastor at St. John the Beloved, teaches us about the beauty of the Church’s view of sexuality: Courage: the Truth about Human Sexuality
• Many in the medical profession ignore the benefits of Natural Family Planning. Physicians write a letter defending the merits of NFP stating that it is 100% free of side-effects: Letter to the editor penned by prominent physicians falls on deaf ears

Thanks for reading and commenting this year! Don’t forget that you can subscribe to our posts and share them with family and friends.

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Permanent Diaconate: Ever Ancient, Ever New

By Rev. Thomas Ferguson, Episcopal Vicar for Faith Formation

On January 15, 2011, Bishop Loverde will celebrate the first ordination in over 20 years of Permanent Deacons for service in the Diocese of Arlington. I will be writing again in the coming months about the reinstitution of the program, but first let’s first take a look at the vocation of deacon.

Since the earliest days of the Church’s history, deacons have been ordained in the Sacrament of Holy Orders to be icons or images of Christ the Servant, especially in serving in the ministry of the Word, at the altar, and in ministry of charity.

Deacons play an important role in the liturgy and the life of the Church.

Deacons are members of the clergy, along with priests (presbyters) and bishops. Some deacons are called “transitional” because they subsequently will be ordained to serve as priests in the Church.  Like priests, these “transitional” deacons make a promise of celibacy and remain unmarried for the rest of their lives.

Most “permanent” deacons, on the other hand, are married men at the time of their ordination.

These married deacons are called “permanent” because they exercise their ministry on a stable basis in the life of the Church.  For nearly 1,000 years, the diaconate had become for many simply a “stepping stone” for clerics on the way to the priesthood.  The Second Vatican Council restored the diaconate to its ancient form as a ministry as stable and permanent in the life of the Church as that of priests and bishops – and the Council also opened the possibility of ordination to this clerical ministry to married men.

Candidates for the diaconate must be at least 30 years old and no older than 60 when they begin a five-year period of human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation.  Married candidates must also be in a valid marriage and have established a reasonable stability in their family life when they begin the program of diaconate formation. The candidates’ wives are encouraged, but not required, to attend classes and participate in all aspects of the formation program. Wives must also give their consent before a man may petition the Bishop to be ordained a deacon.

Candidates for the diaconate attend classes on weekends, often accompanied by their wives, participate in the pastoral work of their parishes and meet regularly with mentors, spiritual directors and their pastors as they discern God’s call to ordained ministry.

Once ordained, deacons are frequently seen on the altar proclaiming the Gospel and preparing the altar for the Sacrifice of the Mass.  Deacons also assist at marriages, baptize infants, lead funeral rites outside of Mass and participate in a variety of catechetical functions, especially various forms of sacramental preparation.

Most importantly, the deacon is called to be the icon of Christ the Servant at all times in all places – 24/7, in his family’s home, at the workplace where he is often engaged in a secular profession (though some deacons work full-time in parish or diocesan offices), and especially among those who are poor, sick, in prison or in the hospital – all to whom the deacon offers the charity of Jesus whom they imitate by being disciples of the Lord who came “not to be served, but to be the least and the servant of all.”

St. Ignatius of Antioch wrote in the second century that we should “reverence the deacon” as an icon of Christ.  Let us reverence, and also pray for those to be ordained, and those already ordained, as deacons in the Diocese of Arlington.

Blog Note: Here is a copy Bishop Loverde’s letter from October 2005 announcing the reopening of the Permanent Diaconate Program.

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Your Vocation: Unique and Unrepeatable

In the following video, Fr. Brian Bashista talks to FIAT women about the importance of recognizing and discerning God’s unique call in their lives.

Blog Note: The weekend of July 31st, over thirty high school-aged women attended the first FIAT Days, led by Vocations Director Fr. Brian Bashista.  During this retreat, the young women heard talks by a married woman, religious sisters, and Fr. Bashista, learned the prayers of the Church, and asked important questions about discernment. They also got to know one another through sports, games, and other recreational activities. For more information, visit www.arlingtondiocese.org.

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Seminarians: Normal Guys After All!

By: Joe Farrell 

Joe has just finished his first year at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia. He is assigned to St. James Parish, Falls Church, this summer and will be returning to St. Charles in late August in the Pre-Theology II class.   

Mass at Quo Vadis Days

 

Eighty high-school young men spent a week experiencing a lifestyle of which few of their peers can claim insider knowledge: that of a seminarian. They were participants in the fourth-annual Quo Vadis Days Camp. The aim of the program, sponsored by the Office of Vocations of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, is to raise awareness in high-school students about the various vocations to which God may be calling them. Coming from across the Diocese of Arlington, they spent five days living together at Mount Saint Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. 

As a community, the young men prayed the Liturgy of the Hours, participated in Mass and attended various Eucharistic Holy Hours and devotions. They also had access to Confession and spiritual direction. Additionally, they had the opportunity listen to and interact with many priests, seminarians and married persons in order to become familiar with different vocations, so that someday they will discover and embrace their own.  

Seminarians vs. Participants Softball Game

 

Of course, there was also ample time for many spirited tournaments ranging from flag football and basketball to chess and pool. The culmination of the competitions came in the Seminarians vs. Participants softball game. After suffering a defeat at the Quo Vadis Winter Basketball Championship, the seminarians exacted revenge, defeating their younger rivals by eleven runs.  

The success of the camp’s mission was perhaps best summed up by one of the participants: “Before coming I had a very different view of seminarians. It turns out that they’re all normal guys after all!” 

Be sure to check back to www.arlingtondiocese.org for more information about next year’s Quo Vadis Camp. Or, if you know a young woman who may benefit from a retreat, encourage her to register for FIAT days.

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